The Times
September 22, 2008
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari riled by Manchester United anticsMatt Hughes Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, has criticised Manchester United's players for not showing respect to Mike Riley, the referee, during yesterday's 1-1 draw. United will be fined £25,000 for failing to control their players after collecting seven yellow cards on their first visit to West London since the so-called “battle of Stamford Bridge” in April, which threatened to take place off the pitch on this occasion when a brick was thrown through a window of the visiting team's coach as it left the ground. “There was an incident and it's in the hands of the police,” a United official said.
John Obi Mikel was the only Chelsea player booked in a feisty encounter, but Scolari showed no sympathy for his opponents after his first Barclays Premier League meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson. Three of United's bookings were the result of dissent in a game that ended with Rio Ferdinand condemning Didier Drogba's behaviour and Scolari unhappy that Chelsea were not permitted to take an injury-time free kick after Riley had signalled a foul on the Ivory Coast striker, then immediately blown the final whistle. United could face further charges because, five months after Ferdinand accidentally kicked a female steward after his side's 2-1 league defeat away to Chelsea, the player left the field mouthing obscenities about Riley.
“I'm not surprised there were so many yellow cards,” Scolari said. “The referee is there for this. If players don't respect him, they should get a yellow or red. Not only for Manchester. Chelsea, Liverpool, any club, if they don't respect the referee, yellow and red.
“I was more surprised the referee finished the game at that time. But like I said before, he is the referee, the boss on the pitch, and his decision is his decision. We have to respect it.”
Scolari was happier with the performance of his side, who came from behind to move up to second place, a point behind Arsenal. Park Ji Sung gave United the lead with an eighteenth-minute tap-in, but Salomon Kalou, a substitute, equalised with an 80th-minute header to extend Chelsea's unbeaten home league record to 85 matches. But Chelsea's salvage operation came at a cost, as Ricardo Carvalho, the defender, limped off with a knee problem after Deco, the midfield player, pulled a groin muscle in the pre-match warm-up. United lost Edwin van der Sar, the goalkeeper, in the first half with a knee injury.
“The game is one of the best we've played this season because we have many problems,” Scolari said. “My team have a fantastic spirit. [Michael] Ballack was only fit for 45 minutes, but started and played 70 minutes. Obi Mikel was fantastic, he played at the back of midfield, at the front, right side, left side, fighting and jumping.
“This is the spirit I want and this is the spirit Chelsea has. I'm happy with this. The record is not important for me, only the fans. The record we want is to win the championship.”
Ferguson expressed satisfaction at a result that left United fifteenth in the table, but was clearly irked by Riley's performance, as he demonstrated when explaining his shock when Mike Phelan, the United assistant manager, popped a balloon by his feet during the first half. “I wished he'd burst it under Riley as it might have woken him up,” Ferguson said. “It was a competitive game, but I did not think there was one bad tackle in it. The game is being screened worldwide, everyone is watching it, and that goes on. All things being equal, I felt we deserved a point. They had a lot of free kicks around the box at the end, but we worked hard and I felt we deserved it.”
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Telegraph:
Manchester United stand proud again after riveting draw with ChelseaChelsea (0) 1 Manchester United (1) 1 By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge
As well as a bottle through the window of their bus, Manchester United took pride and a point back home from Stamford Bridge. Although frustrated that Salomon Kalou eventually equalised Ji-sung Park’s goal, the champions can take heart that they reminded everyone in the country of their class and their character. The title will not be surrendered without a fight, not with Sir Alex Ferguson motivating United’s players so stirringly.
As well as another magnificent advertisement for the people’s soap opera that is the Premier League, a riveting 90 minutes revealed certain truths for United. Dimitar Berbatov, the lord of languidness, and the all-action Wayne Rooney still need time to develop their partnership, although the rich potential was thrillingly in evidence here. Cristiano Ronaldo also requires games to bring his form and fitness back to last season’s Himalayan heights.
Apart from the point and the gutsy display, Ferguson can take other positives from the Bridge, notably an assured performance by Jonny Evans alongside Rio Ferdinand, a buccaneering contribution from Patrice Evra and sweat-soaked shifts from Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher.
For Chelsea, a confident start to the season cannot mask the reality that Didier Drogba must return to the starting fold. Nicolas Anelka again failed to impose himself, and missed a chance presented by Joe Cole that could not have been more gift-wrapped had it come with ribbons and a card that began “Cher Nicolas’’.
In keeping with the celebratory mood, assorted balloons were blown on to the field, prompting Ferguson’s No 2, Mike Phelan, to stamp on one. “I wish he had burst it under Mike Riley because it might have woken him up,’’ quipped Ferguson. The Yorkshire referee actually handled the game well, allowing advantage when possible, mainly stopping only to book four United players for fouls and three more for dissent. If Riley erred, it was in ignoring an outrageous piece of simulation by Ronaldo, a swallow dive so preposterous that Frank Lampard burst out laughing.
Occasional subterfuge and tirades aside, United impressed. Their hunger was palpable. Ferguson had ensured his players were in the right, determined mood. So had the stadium announcer, welcoming the champions to the Bridge with a cheeky, “Here’s the 14th team in the Premier League’’. United’s impatience for the opening whistle quickened.
In hounding Luiz Felipe Scolari’s players all over the pitch, United did to Chelsea what Liverpool had done to the champions eight days earlier. Scarcely two minutes had crept on to the clock when both Paul Scholes and Park had clattered Joe Cole. A familiar intensity characterised the fray. Even Berbatov, so relaxed he looks like he should be playing in a smoking jacket, deigned to win a tackle. Until he tired badly in the second half, Berbatov was influential, knitting together moves, helping Rooney create a shooting opportunity for Ferdinand that would have brought reward but for Petr Cech’s reflexes.
Berbatov and Rooney played significant parts in United’s goal. When the lively Evra broke down the left and played the ball inside to Berbatov, Rooney was alive to the move’s possibilities. Berbatov’s lay-off drew a superb response from Rooney, who guided the ball first time down the inside-left channel, picking out Evra’s continued run. He raced on, but then cut the ball back to Berbatov. As Scholes dummied, the Bulgarian unleashed a shot that rattled into Cech’s midriff, gifting a sitter for the unmarked Park. As Ferguson celebrated, little details leading to the goal will have incensed Scolari. His full-backs, such a force going forward, were caught out badly. Jose Bosingwa failed to deal with Evra’s run. The Portuguese international has proved a marvellous addition, giving Chelsea real strength down the right, but he needs to tighten up defensively.
Over on the left, Ashley Cole had shuffled across to deal with unfolding problems in the middle, allowing Park the space to score. Liberated by Scolari, encouraged to raid upfield, Cole’s primary duty must always be to track his winger and he let Park go. Otherwise, the England international enjoyed an afternoon of non-stop endeavour that confirmed him as one of the leading left-backs in the world.
With Cole and Bosingwa quick to push up, Chelsea hit back, responding to the urging of their fans. Chances came and went. Joe Cole’s shot deflected over. The Matthew Harding Stand then screamed for a penalty when Edwin van der Sar caught Florent Malouda. United’s keeper was clearly going for the ball, his momentum carrying him into Malouda, injuring his knee in the process. The Bridge was in ferment, the fans in uproar, the players storming forward time and again in pursuit of an equaliser. John Terry, leading by example, charged 40 yards, taking the game to the champions. Then Joe Cole glided into the box, bringing an unconvincing stop from Van der Sar. Ferdinand moaned at his keeper, tapping his head as if to question the Dutchman’s mental state. Ferdinand’s stance quickly softened on realising the keeper was struggling. Tomasz Kuszczak leapt from the bench and into the fray.
The tempo never dropped. When Scholes clipped Michael Ballack’s heels, the German squealed like a ballerina who had been trodden on, making sure Riley was aware of the offence. Scholes escaped sanction that time but soon kicked the ball away, making his inevitable entrance in Riley’s bad book. More worryingly for United, they were dropping deep, dangerously so, inviting Chelsea on. They also stood off Alex, allowing the Brazilian to let fly from 25 yards. Kuszczak fumbled, Ferdinand cleared. Not for the last time. Ferdinand’s fuse was burning, the defender raging at a linesman. “There’s only one England captain,’’ sang the John Terry fan club.
Enmity filled the air. When Hargreaves fell over by the hoardings, a couple of Chelsea supporters bent over to deliver some west London witticisms. Bonhomie broke out only during the interval when Team GB’s successful Olympic sailors performed a lap of honour that drew a standing ovation.
Chelsea urgently needed someone to take the wind out of United’s sails. Scolari acted. Malouda was hooked and Drogba unleashed, entering like a favoured gladiator, intent on inflicting damage. Wary of Drogba’s threat, United pulled even further back, almost permanently to the edge of the box. When Lampard and Joe Cole conjured up some magic, Evans intervened.
For defenders like Evans, binoculars were required to see United’s attack. The gap was huge, but fortunately Rooney shuttled back and forth, carrying the ball to Berbatov, making a mockery of those who questioned the Merseysider’s fitness. The only thing heavy about Rooney is his heavyweight talent.
But he needed assistance. Ronaldo arrived and, the dive apart, produced some decent moments, although the force remained with Chelsea. When Kuszczak failed to hold a Joe Cole shot, Ferdinand again cleared and again complained about the marking, the officiating, the weather, the price of ciabatta bread. Still a tide of blue rolled towards Ferdinand and company. When Joe Cole drove the ball across, Anelka missed woefully. Rooney almost punished such profligacy, turning the Ronaldo’s exceptional cross into the side-netting.
Surrendering possession needlessly moments later, Rooney received a curt reminder from Ferguson of the need to keep control of the ball. It was a pity he did not throw in a caveat about self-control. Rooney subsequently flew in on Ashley Cole, who commendably jumped up immediately, but the damage was done. To United.
As well as the booking for Rooney, the champions had a free-kick awarded against them, 30 yards out, to the left of centre. As John Obi Mikel lifted the ball in, United focused most on Terry’s movement with Ferdinand shoving the Chelsea captain over. Unnoticed amidst the pushing and pulling, Kalou ghosted in to equalise. Chelsea had their point. United had also made their point.
FlashPoint1...
The bad feeling that marred last season’s match between Chelsea and Manchester United boiled over again as Rio Ferdinand stormed from the field after clashing with Didier Drogba.The pair had been involved in a challenge on the edge of the United penalty area just as referee Mike Riley blew the final whistle of a bad-tempered affair.
FlashPoint2...
The United team bus was attacked as it departed from Stamford Bridge following the match. A bottle was thrown and left a crack on one of the windows. Police arrested one man. It is understood that no United players or officials were hurt. “There was an incident but the matter is now in the hands of the police,” a United spokesman said.
Chelsea
Petr Cech 5Brilliantly tipped Ferdinand’s early effort on to the crossbar but then parried Berbatov’s shot straight into the path of Park
Jose Bosingwa 6Provides Chelsea with real width going forward, but was out-muscled by Evra in the build-up to United’s goal
John Terry 7Berbatov’s movement troubled Chelsea early on, but Terry gradually assumed control and dealt well with the Bulgarian’s threat
Ricardo Carvalho 6Hobbled off after just 12 minutes and, moments later, United twice carved open the Chelsea defence
Ashley Cole 7Still seems to relish his battles with Ronaldo and helped keep the Portuguese winger relatively quiet during the second half
John-Obi Mikel 7 Provided a shield in front of Chelsea’s defence and provided an excellent free-kick to set-up the equaliser
Joe Cole 5 Wasted two outstanding chances either side of half-time when he shot into the side netting and then straight at Kuszczak
Frank Lampard 7Outstanding this season and kept driving Chelsea forward as they assumed control during the second half
Michael Ballack 6 A late inclusion after Deco suffered a thigh injury during the warm-up. Looked short of match fitness
Florent Malouda 5 A peripheral figure with the exception of one penalty appeal. Chelsea improved after he was replaced by Drogba
Nicolas Anelka 4 Struggled to make any real impression and missed a golden opportunity when he somehow failed to connect with Joe Cole’s cross
Luiz Felipe Scolari 7 An animated and largely frustrated presence on the touchline, though his substitutions changed the game
Substitutes Alex replaced Carvalho, while Didier Drogba brought an added physical presence before Salomon Kalou replaced Ballack and scored the equaliser
Manchester United
Edwin van der Sar 5 Looked shaky and survived a penalty appeal from Malouda before being replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak after just 32 minutes
Gary Neville 7 Has moved ahead of Wes Brown in the pecking order and brought experience and authority to the Manchester United defence
Rio Ferdinand 7 Crept into space to have a great early chance saved by Cech, though just allowed Kalou to get behind him for Chelsea’s goal
Jonny Evans 7 Big test in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and justified his selection, particularly under considerable second-half Chelsea pressure
Patrice Evra 7 His early mistake should have been punished by Joe Cole, but threatened going forward and played a vital part in United’s goal
Owen Hargreaves 6 Demonstrated his adaptability by shifting inside to make way for Ronaldo after starting the game on the right
Paul Scholes 6 Industrious in the centre of midfield, though was perhaps fortunate to only collect one booking after several mistimed tackles
Darren Fletcher 6 Crept forward to glance an early chance wide and produced a disciplined performance to help restrict Chelsea’s midfield threat
Ji-Sung Park 7 Performed admirably with an energetic display on the left and was rewarded with a goal when following up Berbatov’s shot
Dimitar Berbatov 6 Outstanding in the opening 20 minutes and helped create United’s goal, but faded as the match unfolded
Wayne Rooney 7Unselfishly set-up Ferdinand in the opening stages and looked dangerous on the break, particularly when Ronaldo was introduced
Sir Alex Ferguson 7 The starting line-up was vindicated by the first-half display, though his substitutions could not halt Chelsea’s late momentum 7
Substitutes Tomasz Kuszczak fumbled a shot from Alex after replacing Van der Sar while United seemed to lose their shape somewhat after Cristiano Ronaldo’s introduction. John O’Shea also replaced Park.
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Mail:
United come close to ending Chelsea's 85 game unbeaten home run - but not close enough
By Matt Lawton
CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
The first ‘real’ win of the season that Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen to secure never materialised at Stamford Bridge but the real Manchester United at least made an appearance.
After dropping points against Newcastle and producing such a desperate losing display at Liverpool, Ferguson’s side went some way to reminding us how they emerged last May as the champions of England and Europe.
It was far from pretty, their performance earning seven yellow cards and an automatic £25,000 fine as well as a precious point. United's Ji-Sung Park slots past Edvin van der Sar to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men a first half lead
But United will take heart from the fact that Ji-sung Park gave them a lead that lasted more than an hour, just as they should take pride in their contribution to what, for all their apparent indiscipline, was a wonderful match between the two best sides in the Barclays Premier League.
The team sheet suggested Ferguson had approached the encounter with more than a hint of trepidation and, when Mike Phelan chose to burst a balloon under his seat, United’s manager almost jumped out of his skin.
‘I wish he’d burst it under Mike Riley,’ Ferguson said, ‘it might have woken him up.’
In his players, however, there was only confidence and composure, the manner in which they responded to Ferguson’s decision to omit Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from his line-up as impressive as it was perhaps surprising to Chelsea.
The sight of Owen Hargreaves and Park on each flank suggested they were going to defend.
They did anything but, attacking with pace, purpose and precision.
Good fortune appeared to be their companion and a hugely disruptive influence for Chelsea.
First came the warm up injury preventing Deco from even starting and then one that ended Ricardo Carvalho’s afternoon after just 13 minutes.
That gave the impression that it might be United’s day, as did the moment when Joe Cole squandered the first of two easy chances.
Edwin van der Sar was so convinced there was nothing he could do he dropped to his knees, seemingly in prayer.
Those prayers were answered, Cole guiding his effort wide and leaving United to continue their pursuit of a win that would have ended Chelsea’s unbeaten home league run, now stretched to 85 matches.
Industry rather than invention was the order of the day and how hard United worked.
The back four were superb, Jonathan Evans coping admirably in his role as partner to Rio Ferdinand, and so were the midfielders joining tireless Wayne Rooney in battling for every ball.
Chelsea coped well in the sudden absence of Deco but they were disrupted by the fact that Michael Ballack was not fully fit.
They earned the equaliser from Salomon Kalou and probably feel miffed that a late final chance to score a decisive goal was taken away by Mike Riley’s bizarre decision to blow the final whistle when time remained on the clock, with Didier Drogba wanting a free kickafter colliding with Ferdinand.
Ferdinand was incensed as he marched off, indicating to Ferguson that the Chelsea striker had dived and apparently delivering a less than flattering verdict about the referee.
Both sides will reflect on chances missed.
Shortly before Cole wasted the first of his two sitters Rooney sent a volley wide after Dimitar Berbatov attempted to catch Petr Cech off his line.
Set up by the excellent Rooney, who was enjoying his preferred role of support striker, Ferdinand failed to punish Chelsea, albeit with a shot that forced a fine Cech save.
If Chelsea’s keeper impressed on that occasion, he did not excel two minutes later.
Errors have crept into his game and his failure to hold a Berbatov shot presented Park with his chance to score in the 18th minute.
It was Rooney’s pass and Evra’s success in muscling past Jose Bosingwa that enabled Berbatov to shoot in the first place.
More good fortune for United followed. Riley, not having one of his better games, just about called it right when he ignored Chelsea’s penalty claims after seeing Van der Sar collide with Florent Malouda.
United survived but their keeper did not as he injured a knee in the incident. He was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.
Further chances followed. Joe Cole drove a shot straight at Kuszczak and Nicolas Anelka, just two yards out, allowed a pass from Cole to slip through his legs when he seemed certain to score.
At the opposite end, Ronaldo — on for Paul Scholes — delivered a ball that Berbatov somehow missed and Rooney shot into the side-netting.
It was the inexperience of Kuszczak that ultimately cost United.
In failing to come for John Obi Mikel's 80th-minute free-kick, he allowed Kalou a free header that more than vindicated Luiz FelipeScolari’s decision to send him on and protect a superb home record.
Not quite the battle of The Bridge, but a battle nonetheless.
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Independent:
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1: Kalou crowns Chelsea fightback in compelling battle of heavyweights
By Glenn Moore
It is too early in the season for this to be a seminal match, but for an hour yesterday it felt like it could be.
Manchester United, showing the form they have been searching for during the campaign's opening weeks, appeared poised to inflict Chelsea's first home League defeat for four-and-a-half years. That would have been a resounding psychological blow worth even more than the three precious points at stake.
Then Chelsea's resilience, which seems part of their DNA regardless of who is in the dugout, surfaced again. Trailing to Ji-Sung Park's 18th-minute goal, they had lacked the fluency previously displayed under Luiz Felipe Scolari. But the best teams graft when the craft is missing and Chelsea pushed the champions back by force of will.
Salomon Kalou levelled and United were hanging on at the final whistle which came just as Rio Ferdinand flattened Didier Drogba on the edge of the box. With Ferdinand's second yellow card seemingly imminent, and Chelsea anticipating a dangerously placed free-kick, Mike Riley signalled that time was up.
The result leaves United 15th, between Wigan and Bolton, with five points from four games. More pertinently they remain six points adrift of Chelsea, but with a game in hand, having already played two of their most demanding fixtures, here and at Liverpool last weekend. Chelsea are second, level with Liverpool and a point behind Arsenal. Those two teams will be happiest with this result, and the fact that Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Edwin van der Sar all suffered injury. Van der Sar's may be the most significant as United last week lost reserve goalkeeper Ben Foster to an ankle injury for six weeks.
Sir Alex Ferguson picked a team designed to stifle Chelsea, but with orders to attack them. Owen Hargreaves and Park were stationed on the flanks of a midfield four with a view to pinning back Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa, who have been such an outlet for Chelsea this season. The intent, though, was offensive, United perhaps surprising Chelsea with their attacking approach, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher having chances in the early minutes.
This was backed up by tackling fierce enough to suggest Ferguson's pre-match address had reminded his men how they had been second to the ball too often at Anfield. Scholes committed three fouls in the first 10 minutes and was the first of seven United names taken by Riley – to one of Chelsea. United will be fined by the Football Association for exceeding five cautions.
United's initial ascendancy was helped by Chelsea having to reshape their midfield after Deco became the weekend's third player – after Middlesbrough's Mido and Abdoulaye Méité of West Bromwich Albion – to be injured in the warm-up. Michael Ballack replaced him, his first start since missing four weeks with a foot injury. Deco has been Chelsea's midfield fulcrum and with Ballack taking time to settle their passing lacked cohesion. Then Carvalho had to limp off after 12 minutes to be replaced by Alex.
Outplayed though they were in the opening half, Chelsea should have scored first. Joe Cole, running on to Nicolas Anelka's flick-on, turned Patrice Evra, advanced on Van der Sar and to general astonishment steered his shot into the side netting. It proved an expensive miss as, 10 minutes later, United went ahead. Evra fed Dimitar Berbatov who laid the ball back to Rooney. He picked out Evra, who had continued his run into the box. The France international shrugged off Bosingwa and cut the ball back to Berbatov. Cech parried his side-footed shot and Park rolled in the rebound.
United had already gone close from an even unlikelier source. Ferdinand, having dispossessed Anelka and fed Berbatov, kept running and was played in by Rooney. Cech turned his shot onto the crossbar and over.
It was 10 minutes before Chelsea threatened to level, but through a defensive slip, Neville leaving a headed back-pass short. Florent Malouda just won a 50-50 race with Van der Sar but the Dutchman blocked his toe-poke with his chest before crashing into Malouda. On balance, Riley was right not to give a penalty and show a red card but the goalkeeper soon departed anyway, bruised in the collision.
Drogba came on at the restart, soon followed by Cristiano Ronaldo. The former had the greater impact with his physical presence and ability to hold the ball up. Gradually, Chelsea began to create chances. Ballack released Joe Cole over the top. This time he went for power, and blasted the ball at Tomasz Kuszczak's chest. Anelka managed to miskick when presented with gilt-edged chances by Bosingwa and Joe Cole, then Ballack shot wide.
Chelsea's profligacy should have been punished when Ronaldo released Rooney with 13 minutes left. He hit the side netting. Two minutes later, after Rooney had fouled Ashley Cole, Kalou exploited slack marking to head in John Obi Mikel's free-kick.
That there were no further goals was due to a last-ditch saving tackle by Neville on Kalou, and an extraordinary block by Alex from Fletcher's shot. Those two moments, as much as the artistry shown at times by red and blue, underlined why the title is likely to go to one of these teams for the fifth successive year.
Goals: Park (18) 0-1; Kalou (80) 1-1.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho (Alex, 12), Terry, A Cole; Ballack (Kalou, 74), Mikel, Lampard; J Cole, Anelka, Malouda (Drogba, h-t). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Bridge, Ferriera, Belletti.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar (Kuszczak, 32); Neville, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Hargreaves, Fletcher, Scholes (Ronaldo, 55), Park (O'Shea, 75); Rooney, Berbatov. Substitutes not used: Brown, Giggs, Nani, Tevez.
Referee: M Riley (West Yorkshire)
Booked: Chelsea Mikel; Manchester United Scholes, Ferdinand, Neville, Berbatov, Rooney, Evra, Ronaldo.
Man of the match: Rooney.
Attendance: 41,760
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The Guardian, Monday September 22 2008
Chelsea spirit keeps Bridge record intact
Chelsea 1 Kalou 80 Manchester United 1 Park 18
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge Salomon Kalou came off the bench to head Chelsea level against Manchester United. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
This fixture is an exercise in time travel. We may only be in late September, but both teams displayed the desperate ambition of men playing as if the title hung in the balance with just a few seconds left of the last fixture. Judging by the unyielding determination, these sides may be locked together once again in May.
If it puts a terrible strain on United and Chelsea their suffering will be a spectacle to engross the rest of us. Here, the Stamford Bridge side held on to an intangible honour of profound importance. The unbeaten record at home in the Premier League now stands at 85 fixtures. While life had its travails for each team, Chelsea, in particular, were confronted by adversity.
Deco, who sets the side's tempo, picked up an adductor muscle injury in the warm-up and Ricardo Carvalho lasted a paltry 12 minutes before a knee problem ended his afternoon. The club seemed to be stripped of its right to sympathy on the day it became part of Roman Abramovich's portfolio, but money did not buy the searing pride that this squad possesses.
There were excellent prospects for United, especially once they were ahead. Chelsea, of necessity, had a semi-fit Michael Ballack on the pitch for 75 minutes and Didier Drogba, who is to yet recover peak condition, in action from very early in the second half. The visitors appeared ready to take full advantage.
They may not have been at full strength but the selection of Jonny Evans at centre-half for the suspended Nemanja Vidic did not enfeeble them. Their plan, predictable as it had been, troubled Chelsea deeply before the interval when Luiz Felipe Scolari's adventurous full-backs were pinned down by wide midfielders.
All of that could have been anticipated, and the side could not hit a rhythm when it went through the centre. For a spell, Chelsea were ill at ease. Sir Alex Ferguson had the footballers to prey on that and Jose Bosingwa's lack of trenchancy was exposed at the opener. The Portugal international, who loves to race down the wing, was overwhelmed in the 18th minute.
Patrice Evra flicked the ball inside to Dimitar Berbatov before having an excellent pass placed in front of him by Wayne Rooney. Bosingwa was too meek to halt the Frenchman. Evra put the ball in front of Berbatov and although his attempt was poor Petr Cech did not hold the shot and Park Ji-sung tucked away the loose ball.
By then there had nevertheless been signs that United were not watertight either, but Joe Cole missed the target when through on goal following a Nicolas Anelka flick. Ferguson's side were short of composure, with three of their seven bookings imposed for dissent. A £25,000 fine is automatic once a team reaches half a dozen cautions, but the real punishment for poor temperament is much more painful than that.
United, initially dominant, could not consolidate. There were distractions, such as the knee injury that forced the goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to make way for Tomasz Kuszczak, but United should have been more ruthless. In the second half, with Cristiano Ronaldo introduced, the conservative plan appeared to be to hit on the break.
If that strategy was meant to prey on Chelsea's nerves it was a lamentable failure. Any anxiety that Scolari's players were experiencing was self-inflicted. After 66 minutes, for instance, Joe Cole blasted at the chest of Kuszczak when the angle made it rash to shoot rather than pass.
The principal danger for Chelsea was of despair taking hold. Most sides would have surrendered to gloom after the sort of opportunity that was squandered in the 73rd minute, when Joe Cole droved in the perfect low ball and Anelka let it fly through his legs. As it turned out, United's organisation failed before Chelsea's morale could collapse.
Rooney gave away a foul in the 79th minute. Mikel John Obi, shorn of the poise he has been showing against inferior opponents, had sufficient morale left to hit a fine free-kick. Kuszczak stayed on his line and no one marked the substitute Salomon Kalou, who headed into the corner of the net.
A little earlier Rooney had been unable to squeeze a finish into the small gap at the post following a cut-back from Ronaldo. By such fine margins United failed to storm the Stamford Bridge citadel. They would not have deserved the conquest. The prize they did bear away with them was the result that keeps them within six points of Chelsea. Irrespective of the league position, it is not such a dreadful state of affairs when it is remembered that away fixtures at Fratton Park and Anfield have already been ticked off.
There was a disconcerting end to this game that might have done harm to United. With added time drawing to a close, Rio Ferdinand seemed to foul Drogba and, with a caution to his name already, might have been sent off. Debate over the rights and wrongs of that were forestalled when it emerged that the referee, Mike Riley, had blown the final whistle. There was a confusing scene but it still made perfect sense that these sides should divide the spoils.
Man of the match Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
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Sun:
From SHAUN CUSTIS at Stamford Bridge
IT could have been the day when one of football’s proudest records came to an end.
Manchester United were 10 minutes away from inflicting on Chelsea their first home defeat in 85 league games stretching back to February 2004.
But the champions, who had seven players booked, lost their composure in a frenetic finale and the Blues emerged with a point.
Chief head-banger was Wayne Rooney who ploughed into Ashley Cole only seconds after manager Alex Ferguson had given him a stern talking-to, seemingly for losing the ball.
Rooney clearly had no intention of losing it again but mistimed the challenge on his England team-mate and, from the free-kick, Chelsea bagged an equaliser which they must have feared would never come.
John Obi Mikel floated the ball into the box, Rio Ferdinand tried to shove John Terry out of the way and sub Salomon Kalou stole in to head home from close range.
Gary Neville then made a crucial saving block on Kalou a minute later which prevented Chelsea netting the winner.
Ferdinand clashed with Didier Drogba as tempers boiled over at the end and referee Mike Riley blew the whistle before there was any more trouble.
Ferdinand stomped off towards the tunnel cursing the ref, then raged at the fourth official. Meanwhile, Fergie had to usher his players away from Riley.
It summed up United’s frustrations because it was a missed opportunity to kick-start their season.
They have won only once in the Premier League and lost to arch-rivals Liverpool a week ago.
Beating Chelsea would have made a real statement that they were up and running.
But the Blues deserved the draw and could highlight a number of missed chances of their own, notably second-half opportunities that fell to Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.
They also lost influential midfielder Deco in the warm-up and then accomplished central defender Ricardo Carvalho with a knee injury by the 12th minute.
It meant a major reshuffle and United took advantage early on.
First Ferdinand was denied by Petr Cech’s outstretched leg and then Ji Sung Park pounced to put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes.
Given the wealth of talent available to United it was a bit of a surprise to see Park in the starting line-up while Cristiano Ronaldo, returning from injury, and Carlos Tevez were confined to the bench.
But Park justified his inclusion after a lovely sweeping move begun by the impressive Patrice Evra. The Frenchman fed Dimitar Berbatov, who touched it on to Rooney who then released Evra into the box.
The full-back had plenty to do. But he easily shoved Jose Bosingwa aside and set up Rooney.
The striker’s shot was spilled by the shaky Cech and Park was in to fire the ball home.
Chelsea were claiming a penalty nine minutes later as Edwin Van der Sar came out to challenge Florent Malouda who tried to toe the ball past him.
The keeper got a faint touch on the ball but followed through on the French winger. Riley, however, waved away Chelsea appeals.
Van der Sar was injured in the challenge and when he made a hash of getting down to an easy ball in his area soon afterwards, he signalled to the bench to come off.
On came Tomasz Kusczcak in his place and the Pole’s first act was to drop an Alex drive which Ferdinand hacked clear.
United might have had a second on the stroke of half-time if Berbatov had aimed his pass better.
But he played it behind Park and the Korean had to check back, with the result his shot was blocked.
Ronaldo was on after 54 minutes in place of Paul Scholes which suggested Fergie was looking for another goal to kill the game off.
The Portuguese winger’s first act was to launch into an outrageous dive when Frank Lampard was nowhere near him.
Ronaldo should have been booked for his antics but got away with it — possibly because Lamps was laughing so much.
Chelsea, however, had found their feet and were getting stronger. Unfortunately Joe Cole’s finishing was not of the highest order and he smacked a good chance straight at Kuszczak.
Anelka was even worse when Joe Cole turned provider and from three yards out the ball just bounced past him.
But the Blues got their reward in the end thanks to Kalou’s header — and stay six points ahead of their northern rivals.
Big Phil Scolari had a moan about Chelsea’s missed chances but deep down he knows how crucial it was that his men did not lose.
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